Printing system, information processing device, and control method of information processing device

Abstract

To present an estimated time until printing is completed in a more appropriate mode even under a situation where a type of a medium used for printing is not confirmed yet.SOLUTION: A job management program 504 receives a printing job for which a type of a medium used for printing can be designated. A scheduler program 507 calculates a time until printing is completed on a printing job on the basis of the type of the medium designated to the object printing job, and outputs the time to a predetermined output destination. When the type of the medium is not designated to the object printing job, the scheduler program 507 calculates a time until printing is completed on the printing job and outputs the time to the output destination on the basis of a reference medium type set beforehand, and updates the time until the printing is completed, which is output to the output destination on the basis of the type of the medium when the type of the medium is identified on the basis of a result of the detection of the medium fed for the printing job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing system, an information processing apparatus, and a control method for an information processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In the commercial printing field, it is important not to stop printing as much as possible, that is, not to cause downtime, in order to avoid reducing the quality of the print output and the output of the final product. In order to prevent downtime, it is desirable for an operator to grasp the printing status and perform operations such as replenishing and replacing consumables such as media and toner, managing print jobs, editing job tickets, transporting output, and post-process finishing such as cutting and binding at an appropriate timing. In this context, various methods have been proposed to enable an operator to take necessary measures before downtime occurs. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that accurately predicts the time required for printing based on information such as the type of media used for printing and the current temperature of the fixing unit, and displays to the operator the predicted time for printing completion and the timing when replenishing and replacing consumables is required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-000557 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, there may be a situation where the type of media (e.g., paper) to be used has not been determined in advance, such as when a job is to be executed that determines the media type using a sensor that passes after paper is fed. In such a situation, for example, it is difficult to determine the media type during the period from when the job is started to when the media is fed. In other words, in such a situation, even if the job is accepted, it is difficult to calculate the printing time from when the job is started to when the media is fed, and it becomes difficult to present the printing completion time to the user (e.g., the operator) in advance.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to present a predicted time until printing is completed in a more suitable manner even in a situation where the type of media to be used for printing has not yet been determined. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printing system of the present invention comprises an acceptance means for accepting a print job that allows the type of media used for printing to be specified, a schedule management means for calculating a time until printing is completed for the print job based on the type of media specified in the target print job and outputting this time to a specified output destination, and a detection means for detecting the type of media fed, wherein if a media type is not specified for the target print job, the schedule management means calculates a time until printing is completed for the print job based on a predetermined reference media type and outputs this to the output destination, and when the type of media is identified based on the detection result of the media fed for the print job by the detection means, updates the time until printing is completed that has been output to the output destination based on the type of media. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, even in a situation where the type of media to be used for printing is not yet determined, it is possible to present the predicted time until printing is completed in a more suitable manner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an MFP. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a DFE. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a software configuration of an MFP. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a software configuration of a DFE. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of a DEF. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of a DEF. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF setting screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a management table for times related to temperature adjustment of a fixing unit. [Figure 10A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF setting screen. [Figure 10B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF setting screen. [Figure 10C] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF setting screen. [Figure 11A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF management screen. [Figure 11B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF management screen. [Figure 12A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF management screen. [Figure 12B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF management screen. [Figure 13A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF setting screen. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF setting screen. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of a DEF. [Figure 15]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF setting screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF setting screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF setting screen. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a DEF setting screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] <First embodiment> A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. First, an example of the system configuration of a printing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In this embodiment, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 101 is applied as an example of an image forming apparatus, and a PC 102 is applied as an example of an information processing apparatus. The MFP 101 and the PC 102 are connected to each other via a network 100 so as to be able to communicate with each other. 1 shows an example of a case where one information processing device is provided in the printing system, but does not necessarily limit the configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment. For example, a plurality of information processing devices may be communicably connected to the MFP 101 via the network 100. As another example, an image forming device may also play the role of an information processing device. Also, image forming processes that can be executed by the MFP 101 alone, such as printing by a copy job or a save job, may be executed without the intervention of an information processing device connected via the network 100.

[0011] First, the PC 102 will be described. The PC 102 is realized by a device capable of executing various programs such as an application program for inputting a print job. In addition, in this embodiment, it is assumed that various applications such as a printer driver and workflow software having a function of converting print data to be printed into data defined in a printer language compatible with the MFP 101 are installed in the PC 102. With this configuration, the user can issue a print instruction to the printer driver and workflow software via the various applications. The printer driver and workflow software convert data output by the application based on the accepted print instruction into print data that can be interpreted by the MFP 101, and transmit the print data to the MFP 101 connected to the network 100.

[0012] In the present embodiment, a PC is used as an example of an information processing device, but the information processing device is not particularly limited as long as it has a communication function, and may be a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. As long as the print data can be transmitted to the image forming device, the method is not particularly limited. As a specific example, the print data may be transmitted to the image forming device via a print application or driver. As another example, the print data may be transmitted to the image forming device via a so-called network service such as a cloud service.

[0013] Next, the MFP 101 will be described. The MFP 101 has a reading function for reading an image on a sheet (a document to be read) and a printing function for printing an image on a sheet (a medium such as printing paper). The MFP 101 also has a post-processing function for binding a plurality of sheets on which images have been printed, aligning a plurality of sheets, and discharging a plurality of sheets into a plurality of trays. The sheets may include media (paper) such as plain paper, thick paper, coated paper, and the like, as well as film. In addition, in this embodiment, an example of a case where MFP 101 is applied as an image forming apparatus will be described, but an image forming apparatus such as a printer that does not have a reading function may be applied instead of the MFP 101. Note that in this embodiment, as an example, the image forming apparatus is assumed to have various configurations described below.

[0014] The DFE (Digital Front End) 103 is a device that mainly processes print job data input to the MFP 101. Specifically, the DFE 103 provides functions as a kind of server device that corrects, edits, and performs high-speed RIP processing of print job data received from the PC 102, etc., and stores and manages print job data. The above-mentioned functions of the DFE 103 may be realized as part of the functions of the main body of the MFP 101. As a specific example, the MFP 101 itself may provide the functions of the DFE 103 to an external device. In this case, the PC 102 can view the DFE 103 as providing the functions of the MFP 101 on behalf of the MFP 101 via the network 100. The DFE 103 may be accompanied by various input / output devices, such as a monitor 105, similar to those of the PC 102. Furthermore, even if the MFP 101 is equipped with the DFE 103 realized as an associated device, the MFP 101 may be configured to be directly connectable to the network 100 via the network cable 104.

[0015] The MFP 101 is configured so that multiple devices with different roles are interconnected and can perform complex sheet processing. Each part that configures the MFP 101 will be described below. The printer unit 203 forms (prints) an image on a medium (sheet) fed from a paper feed unit using toner based on image data. The configuration and operating principle of the printer unit 203 are as follows. A beam of light, such as a laser beam, modulated according to image data is reflected by a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror, etc.) and irradiated onto a photosensitive drum as scanning light. An electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by this laser beam is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet attached to a transfer drum. This series of image formation processes is performed sequentially for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, forming a full-color image on the sheet. In addition to these four colors, a configuration that allows toners called special colors and transparent toners to be transferred may also be applied. The sheet on the transfer drum on which the full-color image has been formed in this way is transported to a fixing device. The fixing device includes rollers, belts, etc., and has a heat source such as a halogen heater built into the roller, and melts the toner on the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred by heat and pressure, and fixes it to the sheet.

[0016] Furthermore, the MFP 101 according to this embodiment is configured to select an appropriate print speed mode that the printer unit 203 applies during printing depending on the type of sheet used during printing. Specifically, since the fixing process is subject to the applicable print speed limit depending on the sheet type, basis weight, etc., the MFP 101 may be provided with a function to switch the print speed mode depending on the sheet type and basis weight. By switching the print speed mode, for example, the fixing temperature of the image forming unit is changed, and various adjustments associated with the speed change are performed.

[0017] Moreover, the MFP 101 according to this embodiment is provided with an operation unit 204 located on the upper surface of the printer unit 203. The operation unit 204 provides various interfaces for a user to perform various settings and operations of the printer unit 203 according to this embodiment. Also, the monitor 105 may be configured to substitute for the function of the operation unit 204. Large-capacity paper feeder 220 is a paper feeder that is detachable from printer unit 203. These paper feeders include multiple paper feed units (e.g., paper feed units 231, 232, 233, and 234). With this configuration, printer unit 203 can perform printing on a large volume of sheets. The inserter 221 is a device used when inserting a sheet that does not involve image formation into a deliverable sheet (printed material) created by the printer unit 203. In the example shown in Fig. 1, a device having a tray 224 is shown. The punch device 222 is a device provided for the purpose of performing processing such as punching on the sheets supplied by the printer unit 203 or the inserter 221. In the example shown in Fig. 1, a configuration is shown in which an internal part called a die is replaceable. Therefore, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the punch device 222 is provided with a door 225 for die replacement. The processing device 223 is a device provided for stapling a plurality of sheet bundles. Types of stapling include corner stapling, two-position stapling, saddle binding, etc., and a binding process in a form according to an instruction from a user is applied. The destination of the processed product may be controlled according to the type of stapling. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the product is configured to be discharged to trays 226 and 227 when corner stapling or two-position stapling is applied, and to be discharged to tray 228 when saddle binding is applied.

[0018] MFP 101 illustrated in FIG. 1 can be roughly divided into three parts with printer unit 203 as the boundary. For example, in FIG. 1, devices arranged to the right of printer unit 203 are called paper feed devices. Paper feed devices play a role in continuously supplying sheets loaded therein to printer unit 203 at appropriate timing. The devices also perform functions such as detecting the amount of remaining sheets loaded therein. Printer unit 203 also has a paper feed unit (e.g., paper feed units 229 and 230) therein, and is capable of performing functions equivalent to those of the paper feed devices. For the sake of explanation, these paper feed units included in printer unit 203 will also be called paper feed devices. On the other hand, in Fig. 1, the device disposed to the left of the printer unit 203 is referred to as a sheet processing device. This sheet processing device is also referred to as a sheet processing device or a post-processing device. The sheet processing device performs various processing processes on sheets for which printing has been completed, or executes processing such as stacking. In this disclosure, the above-mentioned paper feed system devices and sheet processing device are collectively referred to as a sheet processing device 200.

[0019] Next, an example of the configuration of the MPF 101 according to this embodiment will be described, focusing mainly on the software configuration. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the MFP 101 according to this embodiment. Note that in the example shown in Fig. 2, the MFP 101 is viewed as a system unit, and each component is divided focusing on key points, so some of the series of components shown in Fig. 1 are shown integrated or omitted from the illustration. The MFP 101 includes a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) 209 capable of storing data for multiple jobs to be processed within the MFP 101. Note that, although the present embodiment shows an example in which an HDD is used as the non-volatile memory, other storage devices may be used in place of an HDD as long as they are substantially similar large-capacity and non-volatile storage devices. The MFP 101 also has a copy function of storing data received from the scanner 201 in the HDD 209, reading the data from the HDD 209, and causing the printer unit 203 to print it. The MFP 101 also has a print function of storing job data received from an external device via an external I / F 202, which is an example of a communication unit, in the HDD 209, reading the job data from the HDD 209, and causing the printer unit 203 to print it. The MFP 101 is realized as a multi-function processing device (also called an MFP or image forming device) equipped with such multiple functions. Note that the MFP 101 according to this embodiment may be compatible with either color printing or monochrome printing. The scanner 201 reads an image of an original document, performs image processing on the image data obtained by reading the original document, and outputs the processed image data to a predetermined output destination. The external I / F 202 transmits and receives various data such as image data between a facsimile, a network-connected device, and an external dedicated device.

[0020] The HDD 209 can also store various types of management information that are stored, updated as necessary, and managed by the MFP 101. The MFP 101 also includes a printer unit 203 that executes print processing based on data of a job to be printed that is stored in the HDD 209 . The MFP 101 also includes an operation unit 204 having a display unit, which corresponds to an example of a user interface unit. A controller unit (control unit) 205, which corresponds to an example of a control unit included in the MFP 101, is realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the processing and operations of various units included in the MFP 101 in an integrated manner. The ROM 207 stores control programs for implementing various functions of the MFP 101 according to this embodiment, including programs for executing various processes of flowcharts described below, which are executed by the controller unit 205. The ROM 207 also stores a display control program for displaying various UI screens, including user interface screens (hereinafter also referred to as UI screens), on the display unit of the operation unit 204.

[0021] The controller unit 205 (e.g., a CPU) reads out and executes programs stored in the ROM 207, thereby implementing various functions of the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment. The controller unit 205 also interprets page description language (hereinafter, it is assumed that PDL is applied) data received from an external device via the external I / F 202, and develops the data into raster image data (bitmap image data). Similarly, the controller unit 205 interprets and processes a print job received from an external device via the external I / F 202. Programs for implementing such functions are also stored in the ROM 207. The ROM 207 is a read-only memory that stores various programs in advance, such as programs for a boot sequence and font information, and programs for implementing the above-mentioned functions. Details of the various programs stored in the ROM 207 will be described separately later. The RAM 208 is a memory from which data can be read and written, and stores, for example, image data sent from the scanner 201 or the external I / F 202, various programs, setting information, and the like. The controller unit 205 also controls the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 200. The sheet processing apparatus 200 corresponds to the sheet feeding apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus described with reference to FIG.

[0022] The HDD 209 stores various data. For example, the HDD 209 stores image data compressed by the compression / decompression unit 206. The HDD 209 is also configured to be able to hold a plurality of data items such as print data for a job to be processed. The controller unit 205 stores data of a job to be processed, which is input via various input units such as the scanner 201 and the external I / F 202, in the HDD 209, reads the data from the HDD 209, and outputs the data to the printer unit 203, causing the printer unit 203 to print the data. The controller unit 205 may also transmit the job data read from the HDD 209 to an external device via the external I / F 202. In this manner, the controller unit 205 executes various output processes based on the data of the job to be processed stored in the HDD 209.

[0023] A compression / decompression unit 206 compresses and decompresses image data and the like stored in the RAM 208 and HDD 209 using various compression methods such as JBIG and JPEG. The media type detection unit 210 is installed on the sheet transport path inside the MFP 101, captures an image of the fed media with a sensor, and determines the media type from the obtained feature amount. The media type determined by the media type detection unit 210 is stored in the RAM 208 via the controller unit 205, and is also transmitted to an external device such as the DFE 103 via the external I / F 202 as necessary. In the present disclosure, the media type refers to a type obtained by classifying a combination of the surface property (media type) of the media and the basis weight of the media within a certain range.

[0024] An example of the hardware configuration of the DFE 103 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. CPU 301 loads various programs such as the OS, general applications, and bookbinding applications read from a program storage area (also called program ROM) in ROM 303 or from HDD 311 into RAM 302 and executes them. ROM 303 may also be provided with a font storage area (also called font ROM) and a data storage area (also called data ROM). RAM 302 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of CPU 301. A keyboard controller (KBC) 305 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 309 and a pointing device (not shown). A display controller (CRTC) 306 controls the display of various information on a display unit (CRT) 310 . A disk controller (DKC) 307 controls access (for example, reading and writing data) to storage devices such as an HDD 311 that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, and the like. A network controller (NC) 312 is connected to the network 100 and executes communication control processing with other devices connected to the network 100 . The bus 304 connects the CPU 301 with the RAM 302, ROM 303, and various controllers, and carries data signals and control signals transmitted and received between these components.

[0025] An example of the software configuration of the MFP 101 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. A series of programs shown in Fig. 4 are stored in the ROM 207, and are read and executed by the controller unit 205 of the MFP 101. The boot loader 401 is a program that is executed immediately after power is applied to the MFP 101. The boot loader 401 includes a program for executing various startup sequences related to system startup. The operating system 402 is a program intended to provide an execution environment for various programs related to realizing the functions of the MFP 101. The operating system 402 mainly provides functions such as resource management of the memory of the MFP 101, i.e., the ROM 207, RAM 208, HDD 209, etc., and basic input / output control of each of the other components shown in FIG. The network control program 403 is a program executed when data is transmitted and received between devices connected via a network. The network control program 403 is used for receiving files to be printed, transmitting data to external devices, and transmitting and receiving commands. The network control program also includes a device driver program for controlling the external I / F 202.

[0026] The JDF function program 404 is a program for realizing a JDF (job definition format) print function. When JDF job data is received by the MFP 101 via the external I / F 202, the JDF function program 404 is executed by the controller unit 205 at the instruction of the external I / F 202. In the JDF print function, the controller unit 205 sequentially instructs the operation of each device shown in FIG. 2 in an appropriate order based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the JDF function program 404. As a result, each device is controlled so that the JDF print process is finally executed. The devices include the sheet processing device 200, the printer unit 203, the HDD 209, the compression / decompression unit 206, the RAM 208, and the like. The JDF function program 404 also includes a program for performing an analysis process of the JDF job data received via the external I / F 202, a process of determining whether or not an incorrect setting is included in the JDF as a result of the analysis process, and a program for performing setting changes to eliminate the incorrect setting.

[0027] The PDL function program 405 is a program for implementing the DL data development process and print function. The PDL function program 405 is executed by the controller unit 205 when the MFP 101 receives PDL data (image data to be printed) via the external I / F 202. In the PDL function, the controller unit 205 sequentially instructs the operation of each device shown in FIG. 2 in an appropriate order based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the PDL function program 405. As a result, each device is controlled so that the PDL print process is finally executed. The devices include the sheet processing device 200, the printer unit 203, the HDD 209, the compression development unit 206, the RAM 208, and the like. The PDL function program 405 in this embodiment is configured to operate in cooperation with the JDF function program 404 as an analysis means for various job setting formats when executing the print process.

[0028] The media management program 406 is a program for implementing a management function related to sheets available to the MFP 101. Sheet-related information managed by the media management program 406 is stored in the HDD 209. The media management program 406 also provides media management functions such as registering new media and deleting unnecessary media. The media management program 406 also provides functions such as changing settings of registered media and adjusting unadjusted media and re-registering them as adjusted media. The media management program 406 may also implement a management function such as exporting media information to an external device such as the PC 102 via the external I / F 202, or importing media information from an external device. As sheet-related information managed by the media management program 406, print speed information that can be processed during printing is linked and managed. The JDF function program 404 and the PDL function program 405 work in cooperation with a media management program 406 to determine the type of media and printing conditions used by the job to be printed, and to select and control an appropriate print speed.

[0029] The setting management program 407 is a program for performing various settings of the MFP 101. Instructions to the setting management program 407 are given via the operation unit 204, or are remotely executed from an external system such as the PC 102 or the DFE 103 via the external I / F 202. Other programs 408 are schematic representations of other programs not included in any of the above-mentioned programs among the programs stored in ROM 207 that can be executed by MFP 101. Detailed description of other programs 408 will be omitted because they are not actively involved in realizing the functions characteristic of this embodiment.

[0030] An example of the software configuration of the DFE 103 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The boot loader 501 is a program that is executed immediately after power is applied to the DFE 103. The boot loader 501 includes a program for executing various startup sequences related to system startup. The operating system 502 is a program intended to provide an execution environment for various programs related to realizing the functions of the DFE 103. The operating system 502 mainly provides functions such as resource management of the memory of the DFE 103, that is, the ROM 303, the RAM 302, the HDD 311, etc. The network control program 503 is a program executed when data is transmitted and received between devices connected via a network. The network control program 503 is used when transmitting print job data to the MFP 101 and instructing printing processing. The network control program 503 is also used for purposes such as receiving print data from an external device such as the PC 102 and transmitting a status.

[0031] The job management program 504 is a program for managing jobs transmitted by the DFE 103 to the MFP 101. By passing through the job management program 504, it is possible to manage the job list in the order in which the jobs were transmitted, change the order of the jobs, and cause the DFE 101 to execute processes such as pausing, canceling, and changing the settings of the jobs. When the DFE 103 receives a print job from an external device such as the PC 102, the job management program 504 executes a series of job management and job execution control processes as the DFE 103. At this time, the job management program 504 operates in cooperation with a PDL function program 506, a scheduler program 507, a pre-RIP program 505, etc., which will be described later.

[0032] The pre-RIP program 505 is a program for analyzing configuration information of the received print job data when the DFE 103 receives the print job data from the PC 102 via the network control program 503. Specifically, the pre-RIP program 505 collects the number of pages and page size of the print job data, sheet information for each page, various setting information, and the like, and transmits them to the job management program 504. The PDL function program 506 is a program for implementing the print job data expansion process that is executed when the DFE 103 receives a print job from an external device such as the PC 102 via the network control program 503. The expanded data is converted into a format suitable for printing and transmitted to the MFP 101 via the network control program 503. As a result, the MFP 101 is instructed to execute the print process.

[0033] The scheduler program 507 is a program provided for the purpose of presenting information on the progress of each job registered in the job management program 504. By using the scheduler program 507, it is possible to display on the display unit 310 the time required for the job, the time when a media shortage occurs, etc., in a manner that allows the user to grasp the time in chronological order. This enables the user of the MFP 101 and DFE 103 to efficiently replenish media and to create a production plan to generate a deliverable. Note that a device that is a subject of execution of the scheduler program 507, such as the DFE 103, corresponds to an example of an information processing device according to this embodiment.

[0034] Other programs 508 are schematic diagrams of other programs not included in any of the above-mentioned programs among the programs included in the DFE 103. The other programs 508 are not actively involved in realizing the functions characteristic of this embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0035] An example of processing by the DEF 103 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6, focusing in particular on processing related to calculation and display of print completion time of a job being executed, which is realized by the scheduler program 507. The series of processing shown in Fig. 6 is started when one or more jobs are set in an execution queue by the job management program 504 of the DFE 103. Note that in the example shown in Fig. 6, the subject of processing is actually the DEF 103 (more specifically, the CPU 301), but to make the characteristics easier to understand, the processing will be described as being performed by a program for realizing the target processing.

[0036] In S601, the scheduler program 507 checks whether or not all media types used for jobs in the execution queue, that is, scheduled jobs, are uniquely determined. If the scheduler program 507 determines in S601 that all media types used in the scheduled job have been uniquely determined, the process proceeds to S607. On the other hand, if the scheduler program 507 determines in S601 that all media types used in the scheduled job have not been uniquely determined, the process proceeds to S602.

[0037] In S602, the scheduler program 507 calculates the time for the scheduled job to be completed from the media type used in the job and the current state of the MFP. At this time, for an unconfirmed media type, the scheduler program 507 calculates a tentative print time from a user setting value, which will be described later, and a range of media types that can be set. The method of calculating the tentative print time will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 7. After the scheduler program 507 calculates the print completion time (the time for the scheduled job to be completed), including the tentative print time, the process proceeds to S603. The media type applied to calculate the tentative printing time (i.e., the tentative media type) corresponds to an example of a "reference media type."

[0038] In S603, the scheduler program 507 displays the print completion time calculated in S603 on the schedule screen. If a job for which the media type has not been determined is included, the print completion time includes a tentative print time. An example of the schedule screen will be described in detail later.

[0039] In S604, MFP 101 feeds one sheet of media. At this time, the media to be fed passes through a location where media type detection unit 210 is installed, and is detected by media type detection unit 210. By using the detection result of the fed media by media type detection unit 210, it is possible to determine the type of the media. In S605, the scheduler program 507 determines whether the undetermined media type has been determined. At this time, the DFE 103 may inquire of the MFP 101 about the media type by polling processing, or the MFP 101 may notify the DFE 103 of the determined media type. If the scheduler program 507 determines in S605 that the undetermined media type has been determined, it advances the process to S606. On the other hand, if the scheduler program 507 determines in S605 that the undetermined media type has not been determined, it advances the process to S604. In this case, the process from S604 onwards is executed again.

[0040] In S606, the scheduler program 507 determines whether all of the undetermined media types have been determined. If the scheduler program 507 determines in S606 that all of the undetermined media types have been determined, it advances the process to S607. On the other hand, if the scheduler program 507 determines in S606 that all of the undetermined media types have not been determined, it advances the process to S602. In this case, the processes from S602 onwards are executed again. In S607, the scheduler program 507 calculates the print completion time from the determined media type, and displays the calculated print completion time on the schedule screen.

[0041] An example of the process relating to calculation of the tentative print completion time shown as the process in S602 of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. In S701, the scheduler program 507 checks the setting value designated by the user for the setting regarding the method of displaying the print completion time when a scheduled job includes a media whose type is not yet determined. In the example shown in Fig. 7, it is assumed that the setting value can be designated to display the shortest expected time, the longest expected time, or the average print time for all possible media types.

[0042] In S702, the scheduler program 507 determines whether or not the setting value confirmed in S701 is a setting value that displays the expected shortest time. If the scheduler program 507 determines in S702 that the target setting value is a setting value that will display the expected shortest time, the scheduler program 507 advances the process to S706. On the other hand, if the scheduler program 507 determines in S702 that the target setting value is not a setting value that displays the expected shortest time, the scheduler program 507 advances the process to S703.

[0043] In S703, the scheduler program 507 determines whether or not the setting value confirmed in S701 is a setting value that will display the longest expected time. If the scheduler program 507 determines in S703 that the target setting value is a setting value that will cause the expected longest time to be displayed, the scheduler program 507 advances the process to S705. On the other hand, if the scheduler program 507 determines in S703 that the target setting value is not a setting value that will display the expected longest time, the scheduler program 507 advances the process to S704.

[0044] In S704, the scheduler program 507 replaces the undetermined media type with a unique media type (for example, a preset media type) and calculates the print time. At this time, the scheduler program 507 calculates the print completion time (scheduled job completion time) for each of a series of media types that can be set, and sets the average of these as the tentative print completion time for the undetermined media type.

[0045] In S705, the scheduler program 507 replaces the undetermined media type with a unique media type (for example, a preset media type) and calculates the print time. At this time, the scheduler program 507 sets the print completion time of the media type that has the longest print completion time (scheduled job completion time) among a series of media types that can be set as the tentative print completion time of the undetermined media type.

[0046] In S706, the scheduler program 507 replaces the undetermined media type with a unique media type (for example, a preset media type) and calculates the print time. At this time, the scheduler program 507 sets the print completion time of the media type that has the shortest print completion time (scheduled job completion time) among a series of media types that can be set as the tentative print completion time of the undetermined media type.

[0047] An example of a setting screen for receiving from a user a designation of settings relating to a method for displaying a print completion time when a scheduled job includes media whose type is not yet determined, as described in S701 of Fig. 7, will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Specifically, a setting screen 801 shown in Fig. 8 corresponds to an example of a setting screen for receiving from a user a designation of settings relating to a calculation process of a scheduler when a job including media whose type is automatically detected by the media type detection unit 210 is executed.

[0048] The setting screen 801 is a screen for displaying various information related to settings for which setting values ​​can be specified, and for accepting designation of the setting values ​​from the user. A field 802 is a display area in which the name of the setting for which a setting value is to be specified is displayed. A field 803 is a display area in which a detailed explanation of the setting for which a setting value is specified is displayed. Selection field 804 is a field for receiving a setting value specification from the user, and displays a pull-down list of setting values ​​that the user can specify, and receives the specification of any setting value from the list from the user. As described with reference to FIG. 7, a list of setting values ​​that can be specified for the setting regarding the method of displaying the print completion time when media of an undetermined type (i.e., media for which automatic detection is performed) is included in a scheduled job is displayed. Specifically, three setting values ​​are displayed as setting values ​​to be specified: a setting value that displays the shortest expected time, a setting value that displays the longest expected time, and a setting value that displays the average print time for all media types that can be set. The decision button 805 is an input interface that accepts an instruction from the user to update the currently set setting value with the setting value specified via the selection field 804 . A cancel button 806 is an input interface that accepts an instruction from the user to cancel the update of the currently set setting values ​​and return them to the setting values ​​that were there immediately before the setting screen 801 was opened.

[0049] 9 shows an example of a management table showing the time required for the MFP 101 according to this embodiment to adjust the temperature of the fixing unit to the type of media to be used next when the type of media used for printing is switched during printing. Note that in the example shown in Fig. 9, information on media of the same type but with different basis weights is managed separately, and the target candidates are distinguished by adding a number to the end of the name indicating the media type.

[0050] A standby state 901 indicates that the current state of the MFP 101 is not a printing state, and the temperature of the fixing unit is stable. The plain paper 1 printing state 902 corresponds to a state in which plain paper 1 is being printed, in other words, a state in which the temperature of the fixing unit is a fixing temperature at which plain paper 1 can be printed. The plain paper 2 printing state 903 corresponds to a state in which plain paper 2 is being printed, in other words, the temperature of the fixing unit is a fixing temperature at which plain paper 2 can be printed. The plain paper 3 printing state 904 corresponds to a state in which plain paper 3 is being printed, in other words, a state in which the temperature of the fixing unit is a fixing temperature at which plain paper 3 can be printed. The coated paper 1 printing state 905 corresponds to a state in which coated paper 1 is being printed, in other words, the temperature of the fixing unit is a fixing temperature at which coated paper 1 can be printed. The coated paper 2 printing state 906 corresponds to a state in which coated paper 2 is being printed, in other words, the temperature of the fixing unit is a fixing temperature at which coated paper 2 can be printed. The coated paper 3 printing state 907 corresponds to a state in which coated paper 3 is being printed, in other words, the temperature of the fixing unit is a fixing temperature at which coated paper 3 can be printed. The recycled paper printing state 908 corresponds to a state in which recycled paper is being printed, in other words, the temperature of the fixing unit is at a fixing temperature at which recycled paper can be printed.

[0051] 9, a series of states from the above-mentioned standby state 901 to the recycled paper printing state 908 are listed for each of the vertical and horizontal directions, with the states arranged vertically indicating the state before switching, and the states arranged horizontally indicating the state after switching. That is, the value shown in the cell specified according to the vertical position determined according to the state before switching and the horizontal position determined according to the state after switching indicates the time required to switch from the state before switching to the state after switching. As a specific example, it takes 30 seconds to switch from the plain paper 1 printing state 902 to the coated paper 3 printing state 907.

[0052] 7, the process for calculating the tentative print completion time calculates the longest time required to switch media from the media before and after the media whose type is undetermined, the shortest time required to switch media, or the average of the times. Also, if there are two or more consecutive jobs whose media type is undetermined, the time required to switch media may be calculated after covering all combinations of media types that can be specified for those jobs.

[0053] Note that the table shown in Fig. 9 is merely an example and may be changed as appropriate according to the type of available media. As a specific example, more media types than those shown in the example of Fig. 9 may be applied as candidates for the designated target. As another example, multiple tables may be provided according to the setting value. In addition, if the printing speed according to the media type differs before and after the switch, the provisional printing completion time is calculated taking into account the printing speed according to the media type before and after the switch and the time required to switch the media type.

[0054] An example of a setting screen relating to media management presented to the user via the monitor 105 connected to the DFE 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C.

[0055] Fig. 10A(a) shows an example of a basic screen displayed on the monitor 105 connected to the DFE 103. First, using Fig. 10A(a), components of a screen common to the subsequent drawings and an example of an operation method via the screen will be described. At the top of the basic screen, various areas for displaying the status of the MFP 101 are arranged. The alert notification area 1006 is a display area for notifying the user of the current status of the MFP 101 by means of a display color that is variably controlled according to the status of the MFP 101 . The status display area 1007 is a display area for presenting the status of the MFP 101 to the user by means of text information. In the example shown in Fig. 10A(a), the status display area 1007 displays the character string "Ready" as information representing a normal state, an available state, and a non-operating state. The detailed status display area 1008 is a display area for presenting the user with more detailed information about the status of the MFP 101. Specifically, the detailed status display area 1008 is used as an area for displaying detailed information in a situation where more detailed information is to be presented to the user in addition to the simplified display in the status display area 1007, such as when an error occurs. Note that in the example shown in Fig. 10A(a), no information is displayed in the detailed status display area 1008, since no error has occurred.

[0056] At the bottom of the basic screen, there are multiple input interfaces such as buttons for selecting various operations of the MFP. A schedule setting button 1001 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from a user regarding transition to a screen for setting and displaying scheduling information for a job to be executed by the MFP 101 . A job management button 1002 is an input interface for receiving instructions from the user regarding transition to a screen for performing various settings for jobs executed by the MFP 101 and job queue operations. A tray setting button 1003 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user regarding a transition to a screen that is operated when setting sheets in a plurality of paper feed units that the MFP 101 has. A system setting button 1004 is an input interface for receiving instructions from the user regarding transitions to execution screens for various functions relating to overall system settings of the MFP 101 . A service execution button 1005 is an input interface for receiving instructions from the user relating to transitions to execution screens for various functions used when performing maintenance on the MFP. The example shown in FIG. 10A(a) shows a state in which the system settings button 1004 is pressed, and a state in which the function associated with the media management button 1009 is selected from among the functions selectable on the setting screen displayed by the system settings button 1004.

[0057] An example of functions and screen components associated with the media management button 1009 will be described below. New media creation button 1010 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from a user relating to the creation of new media in MFP 101 (more specifically, the creation of setting information relating to the new media and the registration of the setting information). The media list 1011 is an area that displays a list of media registered in the MFP 101. The example shown in Fig. 10A(a) shows an example of a state in which three media shown as media 1016, 1017, and 1018 (i.e., media shown as Media A, Media B, and Media C) are registered. The media list 1011 also has display areas for each medium, such as a media name 1012, a size 1013, a basis weight 1014, and a media type 1015, and is configured to be able to update the information displayed in these display areas.

[0058] Fig. 10A(b) shows an example of a screen state displayed immediately after pressing new media creation button 1010 in the state shown in Fig. 10A(a). In the example shown in Fig. 10A(b), a new media information input screen 1019 is displayed, and input fields for multiple media-related attributes are displayed on the new media information input screen 1019. The media name input field 1020 is a field for receiving input of the name of a new media from the user. The media size input field 1021 is a field for receiving input of the media size of new media from the user. The basis weight input field 1022 is a field for receiving input of the basis weight of the new medium from the user. The media type input field 1023 is a field for receiving input of the media type of new media from the user. The other media-related fields 1024 are a group of fields for receiving input of other media-related attributes from the user that are not included in any of the series of input fields described above. Note that a detailed description of the other media-related fields 1024 will be omitted. The OK button 1025 is an input interface for receiving instructions from the user regarding the creation of new media. When the OK button 1025 is pressed, the process of creating new media is started based on the contents entered in the series of input fields described above. The cancel button 1026 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user to stop the process of creating new media. When the cancel button 1026 is pressed, the contents entered in the series of input fields described above are discarded.

[0059] Fig. 10B(c) shows an example of a screen to which the transition occurs when the basis weight input field 1022 receives an operation from the user in the state shown in Fig. 10A(b). In this case, a basis weight input screen 1027 is displayed, and the currently set basis weight is displayed in a display area 1028. The basis weight input screen 1027 displays a numeric keypad used to manually input a basis weight value, as well as an automatic basis weight detection mode setting button 1029. When the automatic basis weight detection mode setting button 1029 is pressed, the target media is treated as a medium subject to automatic basis weight detection. That is, in this case, a mode in which basis weight is automatically detected by the media type detection unit 210 is applied. The OK button 1030 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user to confirm the input contents. When the OK button 1030 is pressed, the input contents of the basis weight input screen 1027 are confirmed, and the screen transitions to the screen shown in FIG. 10A(b). The cancel button 1031 is a button for receiving an instruction from the user to discard the input contents. When the cancel button 1031 is pressed, the input contents on the basis weight input screen 1027 are discarded, and the screen transitions to the screen shown in FIG. 10A(b).

[0060] Fig. 10B(d) shows an example of a basis weight input screen 1027 when the basis weight automatic detection mode setting button 1029 is pressed in the screen state shown in Fig. 10B(c). As shown in Fig. 10B(d), when the basis weight automatic detection mode setting button 1029 is pressed, the character string "Auto" indicating that automatic detection will be performed is displayed in place of the basis weight value in a display area 1028 in which the currently set basis weight is displayed.

[0061] FIG. 10C(e) shows an example of the screen state of the new media information input screen 1019 immediately after the media type input field 1023 accepts an operation in the screen state shown in FIG. 10A(b). As shown in FIG. 10C(e), the media type input field 1023 displays a list 1032 of selectable media types. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 10C(e), a candidate 1033 (a candidate with a display name of "Auto Detection") indicating the setting of the automatic detection mode of the media type is selected from among the selectable media type candidates displayed in the list 1032. In this case, the target media is treated as a medium to be subject to automatic detection of the media type. That is, in this case, a mode in which the media type is automatically detected by the media type detection unit 210 is applied.

[0062] In the example described with reference to Figures 10B(d) and 10C(e), an example was shown in which the settings for whether or not to make the media basis weight and media type subject to automatic detection are made individually, but a configuration in which these are set together may also be applied.

[0063] Fig. 10C(f) shows an example of a basic screen (in this case, a setting screen related to media management) that is displayed as a result of the series of operations described with reference to Fig. 10A(a) to Fig. 10C(e). In the example shown in Fig. 10C(f), a new media candidate 1034 shown as "Meda D" has been added to the media list 1011. In addition, information is displayed for the media candidate 1034 that indicates that a mode in which automatic detection is performed for each of basis weight and media type is set.

[0064] An example of a management screen for each tray, which is a supply source of each medium, displayed on the monitor 105 connected to the DFE 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. The management screen shown in FIG. 11A(a) is displayed when a tray setting button 1003 is pressed on the basic screen shown in FIG. 10A(a). A sheet setting button 1104 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user regarding the setting of a specific medium for a tray that the MFP 101 has. The sheet setting release button 1105 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user to release the media setting applied to a specific tray by an operation via the sheet setting button 1104 . The display areas corresponding to each of paper feed units 230 to 234 are individually associated with trays of MFP 101. In the example shown in Fig. 11A(a), media is set in the trays associated with paper feed units 230, 231, and 232, whereas no media is set in the trays associated with paper feed units 229, 233, and 234. In the display areas corresponding to each of the paper feed units 230 to 234, information relating to the associated tray is displayed, including a tray number 1101, a sheet remaining amount graph 1102, and media information 1103. If the target tray is not set, information indicating that the sheet is not assigned (the character string "Not assigned") is displayed as the media information 1103. 11A(a), the tray 6 associated with the display area 234 is in a selected state. When the sheet setting button 1104 is pressed in this state, an instruction to set media for the tray 6 is accepted.

[0065] FIG. 11A(b) shows an example of a screen displayed immediately after the sheet setting button 1104 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 11A(a). In the screen shown in FIG. 11A(b), a list of media candidates to be selected for setting media registered in the MFP 101 to the tray 6 linked to the display area 234 is displayed as a media list 1011. In the example shown in FIG. 11A(b), a media candidate 1034 (Media D) created by the operation described with reference to FIG. 10A(b) to FIG. 10C(f) and set for automatic detection is selected. When the OK button 1106 is pressed in this state, Media D is set to the tray 6, and the screen transitions to the screen shown in FIG. 11B(c). On the other hand, when the cancel button 1107 is pressed, Media D is not set to the tray 6, and the screen transitions to the screen shown in FIG. 11A(a). Furthermore, the method of selecting media to be set in the target tray via the screen shown in Fig. 11A(b) is not limited to the method of selecting media candidates from the media list 1011. As a specific example, newly created media may be set in the target tray by pressing the Create New Media button 1010 on the screen shown in Fig. 11A(b) and performing the operations described with reference to Fig. 10A(b) to Fig. 10C(f).

[0066] Fig. 11B(c) shows an example of a screen state to which the screen transitions immediately after pressing the OK button 1106 in the screen state shown in Fig. 11A(b). As shown in Fig. 11B(c), Media D shown as a media candidate 1034 is set for the tray 6 linked to the display area 234 based on the operation described with reference to Fig. 11A(b).

[0067] An example of a management screen displayed on the monitor 105 connected to the DFE 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. Fig. 12A(a) shows an example of a job queue display screen in a job management screen displayed on the monitor 105 connected to the DFE 103. The screen shown in Fig. 12A(a) is displayed when the queue display button 1201 is pressed while the job management button 1002 is pressed. Below, the components of the screen displayed on the job queue display screen shown in Fig. 12A(a) will be described.

[0068] The schedule job queue selection area 1202 is an input / output interface for displaying a list of jobs for which printing is in progress or jobs waiting to be executed, and for receiving a selection of a job included in the list from the user. If there is a job for which printing is in progress or a job waiting to be executed, the list of the job is displayed in the schedule job queue selection area 1202. The waiting job queue selection area 1203 is an input / output interface for displaying a list of jobs that have been stored or submitted in the DFE 103 and for which an instruction to execute print processing has not yet been given, and for receiving a selection of a job included in the list from the user. If there is a job that has been stored or submitted in the DFE 103 and for which an instruction to execute print processing has not yet been given, the list of the job is displayed in the waiting job queue selection area 1203. 12A(a) shows an example of a state in which a waiting job queue selection area 1203 is selected. In the example shown in Fig. 12A(a), jobs 1209, 1210, and 1211 are registered in a job list 1204 in the waiting job queue, and job 1210 is in a selected state. In the job list 1204, a job name 1205, a job page count 1206, a job set count 1207, and a job registration date and time 1208 are displayed.

[0069] The job setting edit button 1212 is an input interface for receiving instructions from the user relating to changes to various job settings for a job that is selected in the job list 1204 . The job deletion button 1213 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user to delete a job that is selected in the job list 1204 . The job verification button 1214 is an input interface for receiving instructions from the user for executing a process for verifying the color tone, etc. of a printed matter. When the job verification button 1214 is pressed, only a portion of the printed matter is printed based on the job selected in the job list 1204, and a process for verifying the color tone, etc. is executed for the printed matter. A print job button 1215 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user to move a job selected in the job list 1204 to a schedule job queue, thereby putting the job into an active or standby state.

[0070] FIG. 12A(b) shows an example of a job setting edit screen 1216 that is displayed when the job setting edit button 1212 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 12A(a), that is, when the job 1210 is in a selected state. The first setting item 1217 includes an input interface for changing settings derived from job data, such as the number of copies, job name, print range, etc. In the example shown in Fig. 12A(b), input fields 1219, 1220, and 1221 correspond to the number of copies, job name, and print range, respectively. The second setting item 1218 includes an input interface for changing various settings related to output when a print job is executed. In the example shown in Fig. 12A(b), an input area 1222 for changing media settings is included as an example of an input interface included in the second setting item 1218. In the example shown in Fig. 12A(b), "A4 100gsm Plain" is set in the input area 1222 as the media setting for the target job, indicating that A4-sized plain paper weighing 100 grams per square meter has been selected. The finish confirmation area 1226 is an area where a preview of the finish of the output product resulting from application of the various job setting items selected via the second setting item 1218 is displayed. The page programming button 1223 is an input interface for receiving from the user detailed setting specifications for each page constituting a print job that differ from the settings for the entire job. The OK button 1224 is a button for accepting an instruction from the user to save the contents of the various settings specified via the screen shown in FIG. 12A(b) and then transition to the job queue display screen shown in FIG. 12A(a). The cancel button 1225 is a button for accepting an instruction from the user to discard the various settings specified via the screen shown in FIG. 12A(b) and transition to the job queue display screen shown in FIG. 12A(a).

[0071] FIG. 12B(c) shows an example of a media setting screen 1230 that is displayed after the input area 1222 for changing the media settings is pressed in the screen state shown in FIG. 12A(b). As explained with reference to FIG. 12A(b), the media setting for the target job is A4 size plain paper of 100 grams per square meter, and the text “A4 100gsm Plain” is displayed in display area 1227 as information indicating this. A media list 1011 displays a list of media registered in the MFP 101, and by selecting a media candidate displayed in the list, the media corresponding to the candidate is set for the target job. In the media list 1011, for each media candidate, a media name 1012, a size 1013, a basis weight 1014, and a media type 1015 are displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 12B(c), media 1016, 1017, 1018, and 1034 are each displayed in a selectable state. The OK button 1228 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user to transition to the screen shown in FIG. 12A(b) after setting the media selected via the media list 1011 as the media for the target job. The cancel button 1229 is an input interface for accepting an instruction from the user to discard the settings specified via the screen shown in FIG. 12B(c) and transition to the screen shown in FIG. 12A(b). In the example shown in FIG. 12B(c), Media D shown as a media candidate 1034 is in a selected state, and when the OK button 1228 is pressed in this state, Media D is set as the media type for the target job.

[0072] Fig. 12B(d) shows an example of a screen state to which the screen transitions immediately after pressing the OK button 1228 on the screen state shown in Fig. 12B(c). In the example shown in Fig. 12B(d), an input field 1222 corresponding to media settings shows that a media size of A4, with media type and basis weight set to auto-detection, is set for the target job.

[0073] 13A and 13B show an example of a setting screen related to the management of the transition procedure to a job execution state or execution standby state and schedule settings, which is displayed on the monitor 105 connected to the DFE 103. FIG. Fig. 13A(a) shows an example of a job queue display screen in which not only job 1210 but also a series of jobs from job 1209 to 1211 are in a selected state on the screen shown in Fig. 12A(a). When a job print button 1215 is pressed on the screen shown in Fig. 13A(a), jobs 1209 to 1211 displayed in the waiting job queue selection area 1203 are moved to the schedule job queue selection area 1202. As a result, the state of each of jobs 1209 to 1211 transitions to a job execution state or an execution waiting state.

[0074] Fig. 13A(b) shows an example of a screen that appears when the job print button 1215 is pressed in the state shown in Fig. 13A(a) and then the schedule job queue selection area 1202 is selected. Jobs 1301, 1302, and 1303 correspond to jobs 1209, 1210, and 1211 shown in Fig. 13A(a) that have transitioned from a waiting state to a job execution state or an execution waiting state, respectively. Specifically, the job 1301 transitions to a job execution state, and the status display area 1007 displays information indicating that printing is in progress and the progress of printing. Job 1302 and job 1303 transition to a job execution waiting state, and after printing of the job displayed at the top of the job list 1204 in the schedule job queue is completed, they transition sequentially to a job execution state. The print interruption button 1304 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user to temporarily interrupt the printing operation when printing of the selected job is completed. When the print interruption button 1304 is pressed while a job displayed in the job list 1204 is selected, the printing operation is temporarily interrupted after printing of the job is completed, and execution of the next job is suppressed. The move waiting job button 1305 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user to move a selected job from the schedule job queue to the waiting job queue. Note that the movement of a job from the schedule job queue to the waiting job queue using the move waiting job button 1305 is only valid for jobs waiting to be executed.

[0075] FIG. 13B(c) shows an example of a schedule screen that is displayed when the schedule setting button 1001 is pressed after a job has transitioned to an execution state and an execution standby state as shown in FIG. 13A(b). A scheduled time display area 1306 displays information indicating the time elapsed until printing of jobs in an execution state and a waiting state is completed. Each of requested media 1307 to 1309 indicates a medium used in a job that is in an execution state or a job waiting to be executed. The requested media 1307 to 1309 are displayed in order from the top in the order of the earliest requested media. Print schedules 1310 to 1312 are associated with requested media 1307 to 1309, respectively, and display information indicating the time required for printing using the requested media. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 13B(c), requested media 1307, i.e., information indicating the time required to complete printing on A4 plain paper weighing 100 grams per square meter, is displayed as print schedule 1310. In addition, requested media 1308, i.e., information indicating the time required to complete printing on A4 media whose media type is automatically detected, is displayed as print schedule 1311. Similarly, requested media 1309, i.e., information indicating the time required to complete printing on A4 coated paper weighing 300 grams per square meter, is displayed as print schedule 1312. Note that the print schedule 1311, which is a schedule for media whose media type is set to automatic detection, and the immediately preceding print schedule 1312, whose media type is undetermined, display the time provisionally calculated in the process of S602 in FIG. The requested tray display area 1313 is an area in which information indicating the ejection destination of media specified for a job in an execution state or in a standby state is displayed from the top in the order of earliest requested time. The scale change button 1314 is an input interface for receiving an instruction from the user to change the scale of the time axis displayed in the schedule time display area 1306 .

[0076] FIG. 13B(d) shows an example of the schedule screen illustrated in FIG. 13B(c) immediately after printing of job 1301 shown in FIG. 13A(b) is completed and the media type required by job 1302, which is automatically detected, has passed through the media type detection unit 210. In requested media 1315, requested media 1308, whose media type was set to automatic detection, passes through media type detection unit 210, where the media type is confirmed and updated to A4 coated paper weighing 200 grams per square meter. Print schedules 1316 and 1317 are print schedules after print schedules 1311 and 1312, which were displayed based on the results of provisional calculation in Fig. 13B(c), have been updated with times recalculated based on the confirmed media type. The process of recalculating the print time based on the confirmed media type and updating the display based on the results of the recalculation corresponds to the process of S607 shown in Fig. 6.

[0077] As described above, the printing system according to this embodiment makes it possible to display a print schedule based on provisionally calculated print times even in a situation where the media type has not been confirmed at the start of a job. Furthermore, when the media type is confirmed, the print time is recalculated based on the confirmed media type, and the print schedule is updated based on the result, making it possible to display a more accurate print schedule.

[0078] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, an example of a case where a print completion time is displayed as one of the longest, shortest, and average print completion times selected by the user when a scheduled job includes a media whose type is not yet determined. On the other hand, if the user can identify the media type to some extent, it may be possible to display a more accurate schedule by replacing the undetermined media type with a media provisionally set by the user in the calculation of the print schedule. Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, as an example of the operation of the printing system in such a case, the flow of the process and an example of a setting screen presented to the user at that time will be described, focusing particularly on the process related to the provisional calculation of a schedule including an undetermined media type.

[0079] An example of the processing of the printing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14, focusing in particular on the calculation processing of a tentative print completion time, which corresponds to the processing of S602 shown in FIG. In S1401, when a scheduled job includes media whose type is not yet determined, the scheduler program 507 checks a user-set value of a provisional media type to be used in the calculation process of the printing time. In S1402, the scheduler program 507 calculates the print time, assuming that the provisional media type confirmed in S1401 is applied as the undetermined media.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 15, an example of a setting screen for a user to set a provisional media type when a job including media that is automatically detected by the media type detection unit 210 as described in S1401 is executed will be described. In the example shown in Fig. 15, a selection field 804 for selecting user setting values ​​displays options for provisional media types used in the calculation process of the print time when a scheduled job includes media whose type has not been determined. Note that, for each tray, the candidates for the media type expected to be used when calculating the provisional print completion time may differ. In such a case, a setting screen such as the one shown in Fig. 15 may be provided for each tray so that the provisional media user setting value can be selected independently for each tray.

[0081] As described above, in the printing system according to this embodiment, for jobs for which the media type is not yet determined, a tentative media type selected by the user is set, and the printing time is calculated and the printing schedule is displayed. By applying such control, it is expected that a more accurate printing schedule (in other words, a printing schedule that is less likely to deviate from the actual printing schedule) can be presented to the user as a tentative schedule.

[0082] <Third embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, an example of a case where a tentative schedule is calculated for a medium whose type is not determined, and a tentative schedule is displayed based on the result (for example, an example shown in FIG. 13B(c) and FIG. 13B(d)) has been described. On the other hand, as described above, when a job whose media type is not determined is included, the schedule for printing the job and the schedule for printing other jobs after the job become tentative schedules based on the tentatively calculated printing time. In this way, in a situation where a tentative schedule can be set, a confirmed schedule based on the media type specified in the job and an unconfirmed schedule (tentative schedule) based on the tentatively calculated printing time because the media type is not determined may coexist. In view of such a situation, in the third embodiment of the present disclosure, an example of a case where a confirmed schedule and an unconfirmed schedule (for example, a tentative schedule when the media type is not determined) are presented in different ways so that they can be distinguished from each other will be described.

[0083] Fig. 16 shows an example of a setting screen related to the management of schedule settings and the transition procedure to a job execution state or execution standby state in the printing system according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 16, a confirmed schedule and an unconfirmed schedule are displayed in different modes so that the user can distinguish between them. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 16, the type of media to be included in the print schedule 1601 has not been determined, so the display color is changed and a mark is added to indicate that it is a tentative schedule. In addition, since the media type was not yet determined in the immediately preceding print schedule 1601, the print schedule 1602 is also a tentative schedule, and the display color is changed and a mark is added to indicate that it is a tentative schedule. 16, an explanation field 1603 is displayed in association with print schedules 1601 and 1602. An explanation is displayed in this explanation field 1603 indicating that the associated schedules (i.e., print schedules 1601 and 1602) are tentative print schedules. This allows the user to recognize that the print schedules 1601 and 1602 associated with the explanation field 1603 are tentative print schedules (i.e., unconfirmed schedules).

[0084] As described above, the printing system according to this embodiment presents a confirmed schedule and an unconfirmed schedule in different ways, which allows the user to easily distinguish between a confirmed schedule and an unconfirmed schedule by the presentation manner of each schedule (for example, the display color, the presence or absence of a mark, etc.).

[0085] <Fourth embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which, when a scheduled job includes media of an undetermined type, the longest, shortest, or average print completion time is displayed according to a user setting. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, an example is described in which the shortest and longest print completion times are displayed together as a schedule. Specifically, in this embodiment, an example is described in which, when a scheduled job includes media of an undetermined type, a schedule with a range from the shortest time to the longest time is displayed.

[0086] FIG. 17 shows an example of a settings screen for managing schedule settings on which a tentative printing schedule in this embodiment is displayed, and in particular shows an example of a tentative printing schedule displayed with a range from the shortest time to the longest time. The shortest time printing schedules 1701 and 1703 indicate the schedules in which the requested medium 1308, the type of which is the subject of automatic detection, has the shortest printing time in combination with the other requested media 1307 and 1309. The shortest time print schedules 1702 and 1704 indicate the schedules in which the requested medium 1308, the type of which is the subject of automatic detection, takes the longest time to print in combination with the other requested media 1307 and 1309.

[0087] By applying the control described above, when media whose type is not yet determined is included in a scheduled job, it is possible to display a schedule with a range from the shortest time to the longest time.

[0088] <Fifth embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which, when a scheduled job includes media of an undetermined type, the longest, shortest, or average print completion time is displayed according to a user setting. On the other hand, a situation may be conceivable in which the display of an undetermined schedule may confuse the user. In view of such a situation, in the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, an example is described in which, when a scheduled job includes media of an undetermined type, the display of the schedule after that job is restricted (for example, the schedule is not displayed).

[0089] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen related to schedule setting management in this embodiment, and particularly shows an example of a case where the display of the schedule is restricted for jobs whose media type is undetermined and subsequent jobs. Specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 18, the requested media 1308 is subject to automatic detection of the media type, and therefore the media type is in an undetermined state. Therefore, the schedule for the requested media 1308 and subsequent jobs is not displayed. 18, an explanation field 1801 is displayed in association with requested media 1308 whose media type is undetermined and requested media 1309 for which printing will be performed after the requested media 1308. The explanation field 1801 displays information indicating that the schedule for the targeted requested media (i.e., requested media 1308 and 1309) cannot be displayed until the undetermined media type is determined. It should be noted that when the media type of the requested media 1308, which has not been determined, is determined, the schedule following the requested media 1308, which had been restricted from being displayed, will be displayed based on the determined media type.

[0090] As described above, in the printing system according to the present embodiment, when a scheduled job includes media whose type has not been determined, the display of the schedule after that job is restricted, and the schedule is displayed again after the media type has been determined. By applying such control, it is expected that the effect of preventing user confusion caused by the display of an undetermined schedule can be avoided.

[0091] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0092] The disclosure of the present embodiment also includes the following system, configuration, method, and program. (System 1) A printing system comprising: an accepting means for accepting print jobs that allow the type of media used for printing to be specified; a schedule management means for calculating a time until printing is completed for the print job based on the type of media specified for the target print job and outputting this time to a specified output destination; and a detection means for detecting the type of media fed, wherein if a media type is not specified for the target print job, the schedule management means calculates a time until printing is completed for the print job based on a preset reference media type and outputs this to the output destination, and when the type of media is identified based on the detection result of the media fed for the print job by the detection means, updates the time until printing is completed that has been output to the output destination based on the type of media. (System 2) A printing system as described in System 1, characterized in that when a media type is not specified for the target print job, the schedule management means calculates the time until printing is completed using each of a series of settable media types as the reference media type, and outputs the average of the times calculated for each of the series of media types to the output destination as the time until printing is completed. (System 3) A printing system as described in System 1, characterized in that the schedule management means, when no media type is specified for the target print job, outputs to the output destination the shortest time until printing is completed when each of a series of configurable media types is set as the reference media type. (System 4) A printing system as described in System 1, characterized in that the schedule management means, when no media type is specified for the target print job, outputs to the output destination the longest time until printing is completed when each of a series of configurable media types is set as the reference media type. (System 5) A printing system described in any one of Systems 1 to 4, characterized in that, when a media type is not specified for each of multiple print jobs executed in succession, the schedule management means calculates a time until printing is completed for each of the multiple print jobs for each combination of media types when a series of media types that can be set for each of the multiple print jobs are set as the reference media type, and determines a time until printing is completed for output to the output destination based on the time calculated for each combination of media types. (System 6) A printing system as described in System 5, characterized in that the schedule management means calculates the time until printing is completed for each of the multiple print jobs, including the time required to switch media types, for combinations in which different types of media are applied to each of the multiple print jobs. (System 7) A printing system described in any one of Systems 1 to 6, characterized in that the schedule management means controls so that the time until printing is completed when output to the output destination before the media type is identified is presented in a manner different from the time until printing is completed when output to the output destination after the media type is identified. (System 8) A printing system described in any one of Systems 1 to 7, characterized in that the schedule management means, when a media type is not specified for one or more target print jobs, calculates candidates for the time until printing is completed for each of a plurality of different conditions, and outputs the candidates for the time until printing is completed calculated for each of the plurality of conditions in association with each other to the output destination. (Configuration 1) An information processing device comprising: an accepting means for accepting a print job that allows the type of media used for printing to be specified; and a schedule management means for calculating a time until printing is completed for the print job based on the type of media specified for the target print job, and outputting the time to a specified output destination, wherein if a media type is not specified for the target print job, the schedule management means calculates a time until printing is completed for the print job based on a predetermined reference media type and outputs the time to the output destination, and if the type of media is identified based on the detection results of the media fed for the print job, updates the time until printing is completed that is output to the output destination based on the type of media. (Method 1) A control method of an information processing device, comprising: an acceptance step of accepting a print job that allows the type of media used for printing to be specified; and a schedule management step of calculating a time until printing is completed for the print job based on the type of media specified for the target print job, and outputting the time to a specified output destination, wherein the schedule management step, if a media type is not specified for the target print job, calculates a time until printing is completed for the print job based on a predetermined reference media type and outputs the time to the output destination, and, if the type of media is identified based on the detection results of the media fed for the print job, updates the time until printing is completed that is output to the output destination based on the type of media. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device having an accepting means for accepting a print job that allows the type of media used for printing to be specified, and a schedule management means for calculating a time until printing is completed for the print job based on the type of media specified in the target print job and outputting the time to a specified output destination, wherein if a media type is not specified for the target print job, the schedule management means calculates a time until printing is completed for the print job based on a predetermined reference media type and outputs the time to the output destination, and if the type of media is identified based on the detection results of the media fed for the print job, updates the time until printing is completed that is output to the output destination based on the type of media. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 103 DFE 205 Controller 504 Job Management Program 507 Scheduler Program

Claims

1. A reception unit for receiving a print job capable of specifying a type of media to be used for printing; a schedule management means for calculating a time required for printing a print job based on a type of media specified in the print job and outputting the calculated time to a predetermined output destination; A detection means for detecting the type of the fed media; having When a media type is not specified for a target print job, the schedule management means calculates a time until printing is completed for the print job based on a preset reference media type, and outputs the calculated time to the output destination. When the type of media is identified based on a detection result of the media fed for the print job by the detection means, the schedule management means updates the time until printing is completed, which is output to the output destination, based on the type of media. A printing system comprising:

2. The printing system of claim 1, characterized in that when a media type is not specified for the target print job, the schedule management means calculates the time until printing is completed using each of a series of settable media types as the reference media type, and outputs the average of the times calculated for each of the series of media types to the output destination as the time until printing is completed.

3. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when a media type is not specified for the target print job, the schedule management means outputs to the output destination the shortest time until printing is completed when each of a series of configurable media types is set as the reference media type.

4. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when a media type is not specified for the target print job, the schedule management means outputs to the output destination the longest time until printing is completed when each of a series of configurable media types is set as the reference media type.

5. The schedule management means includes: When a media type is not specified for each of a plurality of print jobs executed in succession, a time until printing is completed for each combination of media types when a series of media types that can be set for each of the plurality of print jobs are set as the reference media type is calculated for the plurality of print jobs; Based on the time calculated for each combination of media types, a time required for printing to be completed for output to the output destination is determined.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system comprises:

6. The printing system according to claim 5, characterized in that the schedule management means calculates the time until printing is completed for each of the multiple print jobs, including the time required to switch the media type, for combinations in which different types of media are applied to each of the multiple print jobs.

7. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the schedule management means controls so that the time until printing is completed when output to the output destination before the media type is identified is presented in a manner different from the time until printing is completed when output to the output destination after the media type is identified.

8. The printing system described in claim 1, characterized in that, when a media type is not specified for one or more target print jobs, the schedule management means calculates candidates for the time until printing is completed for the one or more target print jobs for each of a plurality of different conditions, and outputs the candidates for the time until printing is completed calculated for each of the plurality of conditions in association with each other to the output destination.

9. A reception unit for receiving a print job capable of specifying a type of media to be used for printing; a schedule management means for calculating a time required for printing a print job based on a type of media specified in the print job and outputting the calculated time to a predetermined output destination; having When a media type is not specified for a target print job, the schedule management means calculates a time until printing is completed for the print job based on a preset reference media type, and outputs the calculated time to the output destination. When a media type is identified based on a detection result of a media fed for the print job, the schedule management means updates the time until printing is completed, which is output to the output destination, based on the media type. An information processing device comprising:

10. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising: A receiving step of receiving a print job capable of specifying a type of media to be used for printing; a schedule management step of calculating a time until the print job is completed based on a type of media specified in the print job, and outputting the calculated time to a predetermined output destination; having In the schedule management step, when a media type is not specified for a target print job, a time until printing is completed for the print job is calculated based on a preset reference media type, and the time until printing is completed is output to the output destination. When a media type is identified based on a detection result of a medium fed for the print job, the schedule management step updates the time until printing is completed, which is output to the output destination, based on the media type.

23. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising:

11. Computer, A reception unit for receiving a print job capable of specifying a type of media to be used for printing; a schedule management means for calculating a time required for printing a print job based on a type of media specified in the print job and outputting the calculated time to a predetermined output destination; having When a media type is not specified for a target print job, the schedule management means calculates a time until printing is completed for the print job based on a preset reference media type, and outputs the calculated time to the output destination. When a media type is identified based on a detection result of a media fed for the print job, the schedule management means updates the time until printing is completed, which is output to the output destination, based on the media type. A program for causing the information processing device to function as the information processing device.

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